Vandalism at historic Wexford Graveyard

Case information
Incident date
Country
Ireland
Place
County Wexford
Categories
  • Social Hostility / Intolerance
Attack Against
  • Faith
Perpetrator / Motive Indicators
  • Private
Hate Crime & Violent Incidents
  • Vandalism (all)
  • Vandalism of Cemetery
  • Vandalism of Public Christian Symbol
  • Intolerance towards Religious Symbols
Place of Incident
  • Cemetery
Bias Indicators
  • Comments/Written Statements/Gestures/Graffiti
  • Lack of Other Motive
  • Pattern or Frequency of Attacks
  • Significance of Property/Structure/Location to religious community
Reported to Police
  • Yes
Response of Local Authorities
  • Investigated
Vandalism at historic Wexford Graveyard

According to reports from 7 August, extensive vandalism was discovered at Monachán Graveyard in County Wexford, with 18 gravestones and a large stone cross damaged and a Celtic cross smashed from a wall. The locals are distressed by the incident, which was seen as a "horrifying" attack on the history and culture of the community.

In early August, the Monachán Graveyard in Taghmon, County Wexford, was discovered to have fallen victim to vandalism. The graveyard contains graves dating from the 1700s and has served both Catholic and Protestant communities. The damage included 18 broken headstones, damaged ancient crypts, removed granite plinths, a damaged stone cross, and a Celtic cross that was smashed from a wall.

A local councillor described the incident as an "attack on our history and culture," which "cannot be replaced." He stated the vandalism had been "terribly upsetting for the local community."

He further stated that the scale of the damage suggested that the acts were not done "on a whim", but tools such as sledgehammers may have been used over an extended period. The police are investigating and have appealed for information.

Sources: rte.ie, irishtimes

Symbolic Image: Pixabay